She said over the years the definition of restorative justice has given way to restorative processes and then restorative practice when used in the wider community.
"Restorative practice can be used anywhere to prevent conflict, build relationships and repair harm by enabling people to communicate respectfully and effectively. In Whanganui we're working towards a restorative city," Ms Saywood sadid.
"We're part of an International Learning Community and one of a number of cities around the world pursuing this vision."
She said the Whanganui District Council had committed to this approach and many organisations, government departments, workplaces and schools throughout the city had adopted the restorative approach
"Restorative practice is a philosophy in action. It's organic in that it develops as people practice the approach and see that it is successful.
"In Whanganui we're hoping, and it is our goal, that people will eventually say 'This is the way we do things here'," Ms Saywood said.